Stab Magazine | Shark Attack at Bombo Beach, NSW, Leaves Local Surfer in Serious Condition

Live Now — Episode 3 Of Surf100 Challenge Series Presented By Pacifico

250 Views

Shark Attack at Bombo Beach, NSW, Leaves Local Surfer in Serious Condition

Friend saves 22 year old’s life using leash as tourniquet.

news // Mar 31, 2016
Words by Stab
Reading Time: < 1 minute

Last night, 22 year old South Coast local surfer, Brett Connellan, suffered injuries to his left leg and hand after he was attacked by a shark at Bombo Beach, NSW.

The attack occurred around seven. A rescue helicopter was called and Brett was taken to St George Hospital. His condition was reported as “serious but stable,” according to an NSW ambulance Service spokeswoman.

He’s “missing three quarters of his thigh,” reported a paramedic on scene.

Brett was pulled to shore by a friend he was surfing with, who proceeded fix a tourniquet with his leash and stemmed the blood flow, reportedly saving Mr Connellan’s life. “Actions from his surfing companion kept him alive until our paramedics,” said ambulance Inspector, Geoff Senior, “were able to perform a blood transfusion. 

This shot’s pulled from Brett’s facebook, a good surfer and local. We wish a speedy recovery.

Last night, Brett underwent emergency surgery, in addition to the wounds, he suffered a fracture to his left leg.

It is currently unclear what species of was the culprit of the attack.

“Only 14 deadly great white sharks have been tagged in the past seven months as part of the Baird government’s SharkSmart app program, leading to concerns the technology is giving beachgoers a false sense of security,” states an article in the Daily Telegraph. “Fifteen bull sharks have also been tagged since August, when the government unveiled its monitoring program in the wake of a spike in shark attacks off the north coast.”

However, to be fair to the Australian gov’s attempt to cull the shark problem, it’s the ocean, there’s sharks and the risk of an attack is something all surfers are aware of every time they hit the water. Even if it’s out of site, out of mind.

Hopefully Brett’s backhand will return to the water soon. Photo: WSL

Comments

Comments are a Stab Premium feature. Gotta join to talk shop.

Already a member? Sign In

Want to join? Sign Up

Advertisement

Most Recent

10 Shapers To Watch In The Next 10 Years — Part One

“It’s like a drug empire, man. Cut the head off the snakes, and more will…

Jul 7, 2025

Mason Ho Joins Ritual Vision, Releases Remix Of Greatest Hits

Dion Agius riffs on the eyewear brand’s U.S. expansion, Ritualistic Tendencies, and the new stars…

Jul 7, 2025

Is It Time For A New Judging Format?

We have a modest proposal — a WSL head judge disagrees.

Jul 7, 2025

Luke Thompson Turns Last Year’s Priority Disaster Into Ballito Gold

+ earns himself a wildcard into Jbay.

Jul 7, 2025

Fiji Has Its First Professional Surfer, And He’s Unbelievable

16-year-old James Kusitino’s incomprehensible tube lounging leads to a deal with Former.

Jul 6, 2025

Laird Hamilton on The Limitations of Being a Purist, Invention vs. Ownership + Why He Never Had a Sticker Deal 

Untold stories from his How Surfers Get Paid interview.

Jul 4, 2025

Surf100 Challenge Series Presented By Pacifico: Episode 3

"The tribe has spoken," Dane Reynolds pronounced, and a surfer's torch was snuffed.

Jul 3, 2025

When Surfer’s Eye Is Actually Cancer

Erin Campbell's brutal journey from surf camp dreams to chemo drops, cryotherapy, and surgical horror.

Jul 3, 2025

Surfing’s 2025 Q2 Report

An assessment of surfing's vital signs throughout the second quarter of 2025.

Jul 2, 2025

What Actually Happened to Occy’s Mad Max Plunger Pool In Yeppoon?

Surf Lakes’ brass talks: internet hecklers, the unplugging of the plunger, and the Tom Curren…

Jul 2, 2025

Poor Goofy Foots 

Data shows that the world is stacked against goofs — they even make 15% less money than…

Jul 1, 2025

Britain’s First Wavepool Has Closed — What Really Happened?

Bankruptcy, social media hackings, debts unpaid — and yet, reopening looms.

Jul 1, 2025

Watch: Was Matt Meola’s Air Actually Better Than Hughie’s?

Watch the full Swatch Nines highlight reel and decide.

Jun 30, 2025

Houshmand Bludgeons Field To Win Second CT — Molly Picklum Tastes Blood, Snatches World #1 In Brazil

You can't argue with big surfing — that's Saquarema wrapped.

Jun 29, 2025

37 Years Old And World #1 — What’s Changed For Jordy Smith?

On rediscovering decades old surfboard templates, having a personality on the CT, and why this…

Jun 27, 2025

Tom Lowe Stars in ‘Let Me Live’

The wild, improbable ascent of Britain’s best big-wave surfer.

Jun 27, 2025

Saq Wrap: Italo Celebrates Mid-Heat, Griff Drops A Freestyle, Jordy + Yago Continue BBQing 20-YOs

Top seeds sow ruin, Final 5 starts to crystallize.

Jun 27, 2025

Surf100 Challenge Series Presented By Pacifico: Episode 2

Our seven surviving surfers confront an oddly large California beach break.

Jun 26, 2025
Advertisement